Medicaid, SNAP Cuts Could Eliminate 500,000 Healthcare Jobs by 2029

Proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP could result in over 1.2 million lost jobs by 2029, including nearly 500,000 in healthcare, according to a new report by the Commonwealth Fund and George Washington University. The job loss would be equivalent to raising the national unemployment rate by one-sixth.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which includes deep Medicaid cuts and new work requirements, recently passed the House. A Senate proposal could bring even steeper reductions. These cuts would shrink state economies, reducing GDP by $154 billion and slashing state revenues by $12.2 billion.

Low-income states would be hit hardest. For instance, Arizona could lose over 21% of its Medicaid funding. Experts warn the move could destabilize healthcare systems, harm millions of families, and force states to raise taxes or cut other services.

01-07-2025